Dec 13, 2007 4:50pm

Edwards Bus Tour Turns Into Family Caravan

ABC News’ Raelyn Johnson reports: On a week studded with celebrity appearances on the campaign trail, John Edwards was joined by one of the biggest stars in his campaign—his wife, Elizabeth Edwards.

Elizabeth joined the "The Main Street Express" bus tour where Edwards is embarking on an eight-day tour of Iowa, just one day after Edwards told reporters he missed his family while out campaigning. And so, Thursday was a family affair. Emma Claire and Jack Edwards made their first campaign trip since Halloween—as well as Edwards’ parents, Wallace and Bobbie Edwards who were campaigning for their son days earlier in New Hampshire.

Following the Des Moines Register debate, Jack and Emma Claire got down to the business of being kids sledding with their father, with Elizabeth on the sidelines throwing snow balls. A freezing press corps followed the family to the North End Diner in Johnston, Iowa, where everyone defrosted with hot chocolate.

The Edwards’ spent the evening at a town hall meeting in Indianola, Iowa. Elizabeth Edwards introduced her in-laws saying, "I’d like to take all the credit for him, but I don’t get to do that."

She spoke about her husband being labeled an accidental populist, noting the accidental part was wrong. "His positions are not accidental at all. They’re the inevitable result of a life lived."

Edwards gave a standard stump speech about entrenched interests in Washington while Emma Claire and Jack watched a movie outside in the bus.

"If we continue to let corporate power and greed control what’s happening in the lawmaking, in this Democracy you’ll continue to see the same result," said Edwards

"Here’s my view—I told you my two younger kids are out there on the bus right now, if I’m going to turn my back on this system and say we’ll just leave it the way it is, nothing we can do about these people who have too much money, too much power, too much influence, then I better be willing to get on that bus and look my kids in the eye and leave this mess for you."

The "Main Street Express" is expected to roll through Manchester and Elkader, Iowa.

User Comments

I take exception to the title of the article…it implies that Edwards is not a serious candidate, that this is a “family romp”, a sort of reality show vacation. The media is controlling the message here, loud and clear – for the dollars they can make during the campaigns. I heard Edwards speak twice in ’04 and he was by far the strongest Democratic candidate that was out there. Kerry, the candidate with the most easily attacked record and history of any of the field got the nomination. Kerry was what I like to call the “feel good” candidate; it was what felt good to both the voting Democrat and the media corporate interests. If the Dems want to take the White House in ’08, we had better pick a candidate that can win the General Election, which neither Clinton or Obama can do. With a little support, Edwards can attract swing voters and with the southern vote can actually win the White House. Edwards is a real populist, something that is desperately needed for this time in American history. Do you want another neo-con Administration, or some real change? That would really feel good.